Larger Cichlid for a 40 Breeder?

[Taysius]

I was lucky enough to pick up a 40 breeder from a thrift shop for 15 bucks. The husband even shelled out the cash with the promise of bichir in the future. So as of now the plans for this tank are two Poly Senegalus and "something else".

I would like to add a single cichlid of similar growth rate that gets a bit larger to the tank. I'm just not sure of what would do well solo and grow like the bichir do. I've read that Severums are known to grow to about 5" and then slow down. I would absolutely love to have a Sev if it would work for some time. If it would take, say 3 years or so for a Sev to outgrow the 40 then that would work for me.

So if someone could either confirm or deny what I've mentioned about Severums or offer me some alternative choices that would be great. I know that convicts and firemouths are possibilities, I'm just looking for more options.

 

[FishingOut]

Severums are one of the bigger species of cichlid and will outgrow a 40gal rather fast.

I would suggest something that wont get 12in. plus wont let a poly push him around.
Maybee an Acara. Golden Royal Acara are very nice fish if you want something more exotic than a traditional blue. Still a very nice fish and will max out at an ok size for a 40gal. Then you could get some dither schooling fish to keep the tank active.
Festivums are another route for a 40gal. Or a blood parrot or a group smaller dwarf cichlids. Im just afraid a sev will be too large for a 40gal. He wouldnt have much room for swimming.

 

[Taysius]

How quickly would you say a Sev would outgrow the 40 though? Asking more out of curiosity than anything.

I do like Festivums and I am able to find them in my area. It's just that I've read that they are slow growers like Keyholes and I don't want the polys to out grow the Festivum and make a snack of it. I will need to look into acaras a bit more and see what is available to me.

And not that it's important at the moment but I do have a 75g in storage. I just don't have a stand, top, etc. for it. That's kind of why I ask about how long it would take a Sev to outgrow a 40. If it would only be like a year then there is no point in trying it but in say 3 years or so then there is plenty of wiggle room to get the 75 up and running to move everyone to.

 

[Taysius]

So doing some quickie looking around and a Blue Acara doesn't seem to be too bad of a choice. I would need to do more research on if they do well solo and such but I do appreciate the suggestion. Thank you.

 

[FishingOut]

In a years times the sev will be an adult, a couple inches under what he will max out at. a 40 isnt necessarily a small tank, But it is for a growing severum. Stunting the fish is something you really do want to avoid.
Personally, Ive never been a fan of festivums, but a lot of people seem to love them. Acara's really are some of the happiest, friendliest, beautiful fish out there. Excellent community fish.
If I were you I would get that 75 up and running. Then get the 2 polys, a sev and an acara and then you can watch them all grow up together.
Best of luck on whatever you decide, and welcome to MFK!

 

[Taysius]

In a years times the sev will be an adult, a couple inches under what he will max out at. a 40 isnt necessarily a small tank, But it is for a growing severum.

I think this is what I was needing to hear. I thank you for that. I just wasn't able to find that kind of information elsewhere.

I would love to get the 75 up and running now it just isn't possible at this moment for various reasons that I won't bore you with.

 

[balton777]

That tank would have been perfect for my former Grammodes.

Are you into guapote type cichlids?

 

[Aquanero]

If you want big fish tude in a smaller package you could do Salvini, regular Convicts, Honduran Blue Points, Archocentrus Sajica, Cryptoheros Septemfasciatus or some of the Acara species none of these will go more than around 6" TL. This way you could upgrade to the 75 when ever your ready.

 

[Chicklette]

A firemouth would work.

 

[Taysius]

That tank would have been perfect for my former Grammodes.

Are you into guapote type cichlids?

I'm not sure. Never heard of or looked into that type. I will do some searching though to see if that would fit into what I am looking for.

If you want big fish tude in a smaller package you could do Salvini, regular Convicts, Honduran Blue Points, Archocentrus Sajica, Cryptoheros Septemfasciatus or some of the Acara species none of these will go more than around 6" TL. This way you could upgrade to the 75 when ever your ready.

I was under the impression that Salvini were pretty aggressive fish. I could very well be wrong on that. I will have a look at the other species you mentioned. Convicts are a good suggestion and an obvious choice. They aren't off my list but are kind of a last resort option for me.

A firemouth would work.

Yep, that would probably work great. They are kind of where convicts are on my list.

Thank you for all the suggestions! They are greatly appreciated.